Shoring apparatus



R. "r. OLSON March 4, 1969 SHORING APPARATUS Sheet Filed May 17, 1967 INVENTOR ROBERT T. OLSON ATTORNEY March 4, 1969 SHORING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1967 Sheet 2 014 INVENTOR ROBERT T. OLSON ATTORNEY R. T. OLSON 3,430,911

March 4, 1969 R. T. OLSON SHORING APPARATUS Sheet Filed May 17, 1967 INVENTOR ROBERT T.. OLSON BY W ,& WM

ATTORNEY Flled May .17 1957 March 4, 1969 R. r. OLSON 3,430,91 1

SHORING APPARATUS Sheet 4 1 INVENTOR ROBERT T. OLSON I ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Shoring apparatus for storing and transporting boat hulls, tanks, construction beams and the like in a substantially horizontal position including at least one center plate for supporting the weight of the object being shored and shore posts anchored at their upper and lower ends to the center plate or plates by chains. The shore posts have attaching hooks for securing the chains at any point along their length. The shore posts are extensible and have pivotable pressure pads at their upper ends and curved-bottom support shoes at their lower ends for maintaining the shore posts at various angles of inclination on any firm supporting surface. Adjustable tubular extension sleeves are provided for mounting on the shore posts to facilitate shoring of larger objects than can be supported by the extensible shore posts. Tie chains are provided for fastening the front pair of shore posts to a rear center plate and the rear pair of shore posts to a front center plate to stabilize the system when used in conjunction with elevated crossbeams for movement on a conventional dolly-jack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to adjustable shoring apparatus for storing and transporting boats, tanks, construction beams and the like.

Description 0 the prior art For many years it has been a common practice in storage yards to shore boats for transportation or for repairs and winter storage by building up a supporting structure of scrap lumber and timbers, and wedge blocks which were driven against the boat hull to support same in a substantially horizontal manner. The same rather haphazard and cumbersome system is often used for storing and transporting large industrial tanks such as boilers and the like.

Because of the inability to initially equalize the supporting forces and because of the impossibility of maintaining substantially equal pressures on the sides of the object being supported due to expansion, contraction, warping and the like of the lumber, timbers and wedge blocks as a result of the changes in temperature and humidity, this shoring method frequently adversely effects the boat hull and may permanently damage sa-me.

Several somewhat more sophisticated shoring methods for boats have been devised in recent years as shown in US. Patents 3,131,902; 3.139,277 and 3,204,910. However, all of these more recent developments exhibit the same shortcomings in that the shoring posts thereof must be anchored to cross-timbers on which the shoring posts rest. These most recent shoring devices all require the use of cross-timbers for anchorage. The cross-timbers are elevated to permit the insertion of a hydraulic dollyjack beneath the cross-timbers to facilitate moving of the shore-up boat hull.

Modern boat handling methods, particularly hoist devices utilizing boat slings and the like have eliminated the need for elevated cross-timbers. However, because all 3,430,91 l Patented Mar. 4, 1969 of the known shoring devices still require the use of crosstimbers for anchoring the shore posts, it has not been possible heretofore to eliminate the use of such timbers even though they are not needed to facilitate lifting with boat slings.

Furthermore, with the known shoring devices which are anchored by a rigid brace bolted or nailed to crosstimbers, it is necessary to detach the brace from the crosstimber with a tool and then renail or bolt the brace member at another point in order to change the angle of inclination of the shore posts to accomodate boat hulls of different sizes and shapes.

Summary of the invention In general, my invention comprises novel shoring apparatus for supporting boat hulls, tanks, construction beams and the like in substantially horizontal position and employs one or more center support plates and a plurality of extensible shore posts which are releasably anchored to the center support plate by chains, Thus, my novel shoring apparatus can be used either with or without the conventional cross-timbers which have heretofore been necessary. The shore posts may rest directly on any firm supporting surface such as concrete, blacktop, a gravel base, or the like.

The apparatus may be installed in position under the object being supported and adjusted for length and inclination without using any tools whatsoever.

The curved-bottom support shoes allow the shore posts to be used at various angles of inclination without employing the more expensive and less dependable pivotable base members of the known devices.

In addition to the readily extensible shore posts, extension sleeves are provided to permit the use of my apparatus with very large objects.

Furthermore, when the shore posts are supported on cross-beams the front pair of posts are connected to the rear support plate and the rear pair of posts are connected to the front support plate by chains whereby the shored-up object may be moved on a conventional dollyjack.

My compact shoring apparatus can be easily stored on a boat so that the boat can be dry-docked at any harbor without it being necessary to buy timbers or blocking in order to shore-up the boat.

The general object of my invention is to provide a new and improved shoring apparatus for supporting boat hulls, tanks, construction beams and the like in substantially horizontal position which obviates the shortcomings of presently known boat supporting devices.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred exemplary embodiment of my invention.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of my invention supporting a boat hull.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of my invention as it may be used to support a boat hull on elevated crossbeams.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the center support plate forming part of my invention.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the center support plate shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of a shore post forming part of my invention.

FIGURE 6 is a front view of the shore post shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded plan view of the support shoe forming part of the shore post shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded plan view of the collar forming part of the shore post shown in FIGURES and 6.

FIGURE 9 is an exploded elevation view of an extension sleeve for use with a shore post such as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURE 10 is a schematic illustration showing tie chains connecting various parts of my invention for stabilizing the system for transporting the supported boat hull or the like on a dolly-jack.

Description of a preferred embodiment Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, my shoring apparatus is generally designated 30 in FIGURES 1 and 2 showing a plurality of shore posts 40 holding a boat hull in upright position,

While the boat hull 20 shown in FIGURES l and 2 is being held by a pair of front shore posts and a pair of rear shore posts, it is understood that any number of pairs of such shore posts may be employed to support an object depending on the size of the object.

Since, as shown in FIGURE 1, the shore posts 40 need not be anchored to the surface on which they rest, the shore posts may rest directly on any firm supporting surface such as concrete, blacktop, a gravel base, or the like without the need for the conventional cross-timbers. When supported in this way the boat hull may be easily moved by a hoist having a boat sling which is placed ground the hull in the well-known manner. On the other hand, FIGURE 2 shows the shore posts 40 resting on a cross-beam 21 which is elevated by end blocks 22 so that the boat hull 20 may be moved while supported in upright position on the cross-beams by placing a conventional hydraulic dolly-jack (not shown) under the cross-beam.

In either instance, of course, most of the weight of the boat hull 20 is carried on one or more center support plates such as 31 placed directly under the keel 23 of the hull. The hull resting on the center support plate or plates is maintained in upright position thereon by the shore posts 40.

As shown in FIGURES 1-4 each center support plate 31 is substantially rectangular and has top and bottom walls 32 and 33 spaced apart by a support web 34. Each plate has four screws 35 extending between the upper and lower walls for anchoring various chain members to the plate as will be described more fully hereinafter.

As best seen in FIGURES 58 each of the extensible shore posts 40 a tubular base member 41 and a threaded upper member 42 which is telescopingly received in the tubular base member. A winged nut 43 is threaded on the upper member 42 and engages the upper end 41a of the tubular base member for extending and retracting the upper member. The upper end of threaded member 42 has a ball 42a formed thereon which is received in a ball socket plate 44. The socket plate has a pressure pad 45 secured thereto as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. The pressure pad generally comprises a hardwood pressure block 45a which is bolted to the socket plate 44 to the plate as will be described more fully hereinafter. and resilient pad 45b of rubber or the like which is preferably nailed or otherwise secured to the upper face of the wooden block 4511. The ball joint attachment for the pressure pad 45 permits the shore posts 40 to fit boat hulls and objects of any configuration.

The lower end 41b of the tubular base member 41 is fitted into a substantially .cylindrical recess 46a formed in support shoe 46. The support shoe has an upper flanged portion 46b and curved bottom portion 46c. The curved bottom portion 460 permits the shore posts 40 to be used at various angles of inclination for objects of different sizes and shapes. As mentioned hereinbefore the curved bottom portion 460 provides a sufficiently large bearing surface so that the shore posts may rest directly on any firm supporting surface such as concrete, blacktop, gravel or the like.

As best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the flanged portion 46b of the support shoe has a bifurcated pin retaining flange 46d extending therefrom for pivotally securing a hook 47 to the support shoe by a pin 48 which is maintained in the bifurcated flange 46d by a cotter pin 49.

A collar 50 is adjusta'bly mounted on the threaded upper member 42 by an inwardly protruding pin 51 which engages the threads of the upper member. The collar 50 has a bifurcated protruding portion 50a for receiving a pivot pin 52 for attaching a hook 53 to the collar. The pivot pin 52 is fastened in the collar by cotter pin 54. The pivot pin 52 also maintains the inwardly protruding pin 51 in engagement with the threaded member 42.

The shore posts 40 are anchored to the center support plate 31 by flexible tension members in the form of chains 55. Each of the anchoring chains 55 has a link near its midpoint secured to the plate by one of the screws 35 which extends through the plate. One end of the anchoring chain 55 is attached to the upper end of the shoe post by inserting a link thereof in the hook 53 attached to the collar 50 and the other end of the chain is attached to the support shoe 46 by attaching a link in the hook 47. The shore post is thus restrained against outward movement by the anchoring chain 55. This particular anchoring system is extremely important in that no cross-timbers are necessary as in the past for anchoring the shore posts. Instead, the shore posts are anchored to the center support plate 31 which supports the weight of the boat. This novel feature of my shoring apparatus permits the shoringup of the boat directly on any firm supporting surface.

As shown in FIGURE 2, my shoring apparatus may also be employed with a cross-beam 21 if desired. The cross-beam is ordinarily elevated by end blocks 22 so that a hydraulic dolly-jack may be inserted thereunder for transporting the supported boat hull.

When my apparatus is used in conjunction with elevated cross-beams to facilitate movement by a dolly-jack, it is necessary to stabilize the system by securing the front pair of shore posts to the rear support plate and the rear pair of shore posts to the front support plate as shown schematically in FIGURE 10. Tie members in the form of chains 56 and 57 are secured to the plates 31 by screws 35 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and are attached to the support shoes 46 of the shore posts by keyhole shaped openings 46e formed in the web portion 46b of the support shoe. The chains 56 and 57 may be pulled tight and secured at a link anywhere along their length by the keyhole shaped openings in the support shoe webs.

Likewise, the anchoring chains 55 may be secured to the upper and lower ends of the shore posts at a link anywhere along the length of the chains by hooks 47 and 53, whereby the shore posts may be employed at any angle of inclination best suited for the particular object being supported thereby.

While the extensible shore posts 40 permit my shoring apparatus to be used with objects of many sizes, in order to facilitate use with objects of very large size, I provide a tubular extension sleeve 58, shown in FIGURE 9, having a series of longitudinally spaced holes 59 therein and a pin 60 receivable in the holes 59. To use the extension sleeve 58, the upper threaded member 42 is removed from the tubular base member 41 by turning the winged nut 43. The extension sleeve 58 is mounted over the smaller tubular base member 41 and secured at the desired length by inserting the pin 60 through one of the holes 59. The pin 60 then rests on the top end 41a of the tubular base member 41 for supporting the extension sleeve 58 in the desired position. The pin 60 is preferably secured by a cotter pin 61. The upper threaded member 42 is then inserted into the tubular extension sleeve 58 and adjusted therein by turning the winged nut 43 which now engages the top end 58a of the tubular extension sleeve.

As is readily apparent from the foregoing description, my shoring apparatus 30 may be quickly and easily assembled in a suppotring relation under a boat hull or other object without the use of any tools whatsoever and also disassembled and removed without the use of tools.

I claim:

1. Shoring apparatus for supporting objects in a substantially horizontal position, said shoring apparatus comprising:

(a) a center support plate for supporting the object,

(b) a pair of substantially upright extensible shore posts for supporting the sides of the object, said shore posts having upper and lower ends, and

(c) upper and lower flexible tension members anchoring the upper and lower ends of said shore posts to said center support plate for restraining the outward movement of said shore posts.

2. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 1 including:

(a) front and rear support plates resting on transversely disposed elevated front and rear cross-beams,

(b) front and rear pairs of shore posts resting on said crossbeams,

(c) a first flexible tie member connected to the lower ends of said front pair of shore posts and to said rear support plate, and

(d) a second flexible tie member connected to the lower ends of said rear pair of said shore posts and to said front support plate for stabilizing the shoring apparatus so that it can be transported on wheels placed under the elevated cross-beams.

3. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 1 wherein each of said shore posts comprise:

(i) a tubular base member having an upper and a lower end,

(ii) a supporting shoe attached to the lower end of said base member,

(iii) a threaded upper member having an upper and a lower end and having its lower end received in the upper end of said base member,

(iv) a nut threaded on said upper member and engaging the upper end of said tubular base member for extending and retracting said upper member, and

(v) a pressure pad pivotably mounted on the upper end of said upper member for engaging against the object being supported.

4. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein the support shoe of each of said shore posts has a curved bottom surface for supporting said shore posts at various angle of inclination.

5. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein each of said shore posts has:

(i) a collar adjustably mounted on said threaded up per member below said pressure pad, and

(ii) means on said collars for securing said upper flexible tension members at various points along their length for accommodating objects of different sizes and shapes.

6. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein the support shoe of each of said shoring posts has means thereon for securing said lower flexible tension members at various points along their length for accommodating objects of different sizes and shapes.

7. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 3, including:

(a) front and rear support plates resting on transversely disposed elevated front and rear cross-beams,

(b) front and rear pairs of shore posts resting on said crossbeams,

(c) a first flexible tie member connected to the lower ends of said front pair of shore posts and to said rear support plate, and

(d) a second flexible tie member connected to the lower ends of said rear pair of said shore posts and to said front support plate and stabilizing the shoring apparatus so that it can be transported on wheels placed under the elevated cross-beams.

8. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 7 including a tubular extension sleeve adapted to receive the flexible tie members at various points along their length for accommodating objects of different lengths.

9. The shoring apparatus as specified in claim 3 including a tubular extension sleeve adapted to receive the upper end of said tubular base member, said extension member having a series of longitudinally spaced holes therein, and a pin being receivable in said holes for adjustably mounting said extension sleeve on said base member, said threaded upper member being received in said extension member and said threaded nut engaging the upper end of said extension member.

References Cited ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner. FRANK DOMATOR, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 9-46; 61-66; 248-119 

